IBUKA Australia, representing survivors of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda and speaking in solidarity with survivor organizations across the world, has formally called on Griffith University in Australia to review and reconsider any association with individuals or organizations it believes promote narratives that distort or deny the historical reality of the genocide. In a letter dated June 18, 2026, addressed to Griffith University Vice-Chancellor and President, the organization expressed deep concern over what it described as the dissemination of views that undermine established historical and legal findings regarding the genocide that claimed the lives of more than one million people within approximately one hundred days.
The letter was issued on behalf of IBUKA Australia and supported by a broad coalition of survivor-focused organizations and communities, including IBUKA Rwanda, Survivors Fund (SURF) in the United Kingdom, Never Again Rwanda, Ishami Foundation, and survivor associations throughout Africa, Europe, North America, and the wider diaspora. The organizations emphasized that their appeal stems from a shared commitment to preserving historical truth, honoring the memory of victims, and ensuring that future generations understand the realities of one of the twentieth century’s most devastating atrocities.
In its communication, IBUKA Australia argued that the historical and legal status of the Genocide Against the Tutsi is firmly established through international judicial decisions, United Nations recognition, extensive scholarly research, and survivor testimony. The organization stated that the genocide has been recognized through international legal processes and commemorated globally, including through the annual United Nations International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda observed each year on April 7. According to the letter, these foundations leave no ambiguity regarding the nature of the events that unfolded in Rwanda in 1994.
The survivor organization also highlighted the emotional and societal impact of genocide denial and distortion. It stated that for survivors and families who continue to live with the consequences of the violence, attempts to deny, minimize, or reinterpret the genocide represent more than an academic disagreement. The letter described such actions as harmful to survivors, damaging to collective memory, and potentially encouraging the spread of misinformation that could weaken public understanding of historical events. The organization argued that when respected educational institutions are perceived as providing platforms or legitimacy to narratives viewed as revisionist, survivors may experience renewed trauma and a sense that their experiences are being questioned or dismissed.
As part of its appeal, IBUKA Australia requested that Griffith University undertake a transparent and independent review of any institutional relationships, partnerships, sponsorships, endorsements, or affiliations involving Judi Rever and Association RAQ Inc. The organization further urged the university to publicly reaffirm the historical and legal reality of the Genocide Against the Tutsi and to ensure that its policies and practices remain consistent with internationally recognized facts and human rights principles. Additional requests included engagement with survivor organizations, genocide scholars, and human rights advocates before hosting future programs or events related to the 1994 genocide, as well as the development of clear institutional guidelines addressing genocide denial and historical revisionism.
The letter framed these requests within the broader values of higher education, emphasizing the importance of academic integrity, evidence-based scholarship, human rights, and social responsibility. Survivor representatives stated that universities play a critical role in preserving factual history, fostering informed discussion, and promoting ethical engagement with sensitive historical subjects. They argued that educational institutions possess a unique responsibility to ensure that public discourse on genocide remains grounded in established evidence and respects the experiences of those directly affected.
IBUKA Australia concluded its appeal by urging Griffith University’s leadership to take what it described as decisive and transparent action. The organization emphasized that survivors and their families continue to advocate for remembrance, accountability, and education as essential safeguards against future atrocities. It also requested a formal written response from the university within twenty-one days and expressed willingness to meet with university officials to discuss the concerns raised in greater detail. The letter reflects the ongoing efforts of genocide survivors and advocacy organizations around the world to protect historical truth, combat denial and distortion, and ensure that the memory of those who lost their lives in the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi remains accurately preserved for future generations.
